Book Review

I'm still soaking sun in the Keys, but here's the review of a book I recently read.

Higher Hope by Robert Whitlow delves into the murky waters of slander. A preacher known to "know" things accuses a businessman of corrupt actions. Is this slander? If something is the truth, then can it be labeled as slander?
The story is told mostly in first person, through the eyes of a ultra-conservative Christian woman who is working in a law office, trying to make it to associate level. First person is tricky. I had trouble relating to her, not because of her beliefs, but because there was so little internal narrative.
I have to wonder if that's because the book was written by a male? Okay, okay, no one get upset. LOL The author did use third person with the preacher and he did a great job with her.

Whitlow is a solid writer whose intriguing premise kept me reading the story. I almost stopped because this is the second in the series and the first hundred pages were devoted to meeting the heroine's parents and love interest. Whitlow's skill as an author hooked me in though. He was smart to include snippets of the main premise so that I'd be eager to keep reading.

While I didn't form much of an emotional connection to the main character, I still enjoyed this book for the interesting religious angles and great writing.

What are you reading right now? What's your favorite genre?

Comments

Terri Tiffany said…
I just finished Tender Graces and plan to read Scream next!
I'm jealous of your trip!
May 8, 2009 at 8:06 AM
Janna Leadbetter said…
I'm almost finished with Tender Graces, though I don't want it to end. You have to check it out, Jessica!

I hope you're having a splendid time!




Wait. Did I just use the word "splendid"?
May 8, 2009 at 9:49 AM
Warren Baldwin said…
I haven't read Higher Hope but after your comments I plan to check it out. Fiction is not one of my regular genres to read, but I'm trying to do more of it. Thanks.
May 8, 2009 at 11:07 AM
Tana said…
Interesting because I'm usually turned off by men writing in first person about women. I always feel like somethings off.
May 8, 2009 at 12:59 PM
Keli Gwyn said…
Historicals are my favorites. I'm reading Chasing Charity, Marcia Gruver's second book about boom town Humble, Texas. It's great.

Enjoy your time in the Keys.
May 8, 2009 at 1:04 PM
Jody Hedlund said…
I think I'll try to start on The Role of a Lifetime. ;) Got it! Thank you! Hope you're having a great family time!
May 8, 2009 at 1:29 PM
Jeanette Levellie said…
Jessica; My husband and I read mystery novels at night. We are on "The Pale Horse" by Agatha Christie right now, wherein she writes in first person as a male, and she does a darn great job!
I don't think a man could pull it off as a female, though. Not to be sexist, just my opinion.

I just started reading "Havah" by Tosca Lee; I won it in a Camy Tang drawing. It is beautifully crafted, but I've not gotten far enough into the story yet to make an asessment.

My favorite genre? Probably mystery, since it keeps my brain working ---HA! Even though i write non-fiction, I read a lot of fiction. It's a cheap vacation.

Yes, Have a Splendid time, and Happy Mother's Day!
May 8, 2009 at 9:31 PM
anita said…
Wow, Jessie! You are AMAZING; able to post a blog from the Keys without so much as a laptop or wireless internet. SNORT!

Anyway, first person is not only hard to write, but it appears to be a hard sell, in the beginning anyway. At least until you've proven yourself (HOPE HOPE).

If I had to pick a favorite genre, of course it would be romance (heh) but I also love a good literary read with lush prose and twisted and twining plots.

Um, I'm so bad, because at the moment I'm not reading anything. I'm too busy writing at every turn. :-) I plan to catch up on some reading this summer during our family vacations.

Well, go back to sunning. And don't forget the suncreen! Heehee
May 8, 2009 at 11:01 PM
Danyelle L. said…
Hmmm. I'm reading...my mind went blank. Hazards of reading more than one book at a time, I guess. ;-) My favorite genre is fantasy. I generally stick to YA or MG because they aren't usually blushable like the adult section can be.
May 9, 2009 at 1:09 PM
Kate Karyus Quinn said…
Right now I'm reading non-fiction, just for a change of pace after recently reading a bunch of romance. I like to mix things up, but romance is the genre I come back to most often.
May 9, 2009 at 10:11 PM
denise petrovich said…
I am at the end of a great historical fiction romance by Kathleen Woodiwiss. I am really enjoying it. A Rose In Winter. I will give it to you to read when I see you. Love Mom
May 10, 2009 at 12:57 PM
Houston A.W. Knight said…
Jessica,

I didn't have you addie to e you - so please forgive, but a few months past you came to my blog and sounded interested in entering the contest to win Judi's book "In Over Her Head", well the contest is now open to enter! Come see me at http://www.houstonawknight.blogspot.com

Hugs
Hawk
BTW, I've missed your visits!
May 10, 2009 at 3:07 PM
Deb Shucka said…
Right now I'm reading The Zookeeper's Wife, on a friend's recommendation. My piles of unread books contain memoir, literary fiction, thrillers, mysteries, and some historical fiction.

My favorite recent books include Tender Graces and The Unbreakable Child.
May 10, 2009 at 5:22 PM
Weronika Janczuk said…
My goal is to get started on Maass' "Fire in Fiction" asap. :)

Thanks for the review, Jessica!
May 10, 2009 at 7:01 PM
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